Freelance Motoring Writer

Does Hyundai's Veloster fit the bill for a young driver who wants a sporty drive?

Frank is helping his daughter buy her first car. They want something fun, so aren't interested in boring hatchbacks. They are considering a Mazda MX-5 and, despite its sporty nature, Frank is keen on the idea. He reckons its low running costs and good braking/roadholding are pluses and likes the fact she'll only be able to carry one passenger. Is he on to something or should they look at other options?

The budget

Less than $25,000

The shortlist

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We wouldn't recommend an MX-5 to young drivers who can only afford the first two generations sold up to 2005. While they have good braking and roadholding they tend be taily on the limit, which is fine for experienced steerers but could catch out greenhorns.

Get to the $20,000 bracket, however, and you're looking at current NC models, which have stability control to help keep the ham-fisted out of trouble.

In this case, we really can't argue with Frank's logic. But we will include another two-seater with some contrasting strengths and weaknesses to frame it better.

We would have had a third two-seater here, too, if logical options at this budget didn't lack stability control. So we'll throw in something completely different that's safe, affordable and – most importantly – a little bit of fun.

2012-on Hyundai Veloster, from $19,360:*

Yes, this Hyundai has a hatch and a back seat but with its dramatic coupe styling and asymmetrical back door you'd never call it boring.

It's also packed with youth-friendly toys such as bluetooth phone/audio streaming, while parents will love its generous safety fitout. The factory five-year warranty will still have plenty of life in it, too.

Of course, the Veloster can accommodate two more potentially goading friends than the Mazda. However, the near-new base models that are the sole choice the sub-$25,000 segment are powered by a pedestrian 1.6-litre petrol engine and the handling is safe and predictable.

The current MX-5 arrived in 2005 but we're recommending MY06 models, which introduced stability control as part of an update to coincide with the arrival of the folding hardtop version in late 2006.

Its two-seat, open-top layout is obviously very different from the Veloster's. Young drivers will only have one friend to distract them behind the wheel but they'll also have its willing 2.0-litre petrol engine and go-kart handling egging them on.

The MX-5's small boot is another headache and the factory three-year warranty will be expired on examples in this budget range. Don't expect as many toys as the Hyundai, either.

As with the MX-5, the 207CC received stability control during a mid-life upgrade. So while you'll find examples from 2007, we're recommending only MY10 models onwards sold from late 2009.

There are other similarities, such as its open-top layout, which is utilised via a slick power folding hardtop roof. While it technically has a back seat, no humanoid of anything like adult stature can fit.

The Pug, though, has a bigger boot and base 1.6-litre petrols (which we're recommending as quicker GT turbos with MY10 plates will test the budget and any P-plate restrictions) aren't quick or sharp enough to whip up hooning instincts. Just don't expect it to be quite as reliable or cheap to service as Asian alternatives.

It seems a sin not to recommend something as brilliantly executed, satisfying and affordable to own as the MX-5 but there's something about putting a first-time driver into a car that begs to be driven hard we just can't warm to.

The Pug, for inexperienced drivers at least, seems more appropriate with its tame engine, tame front-wheel-drive handling and bigger boot, which is sure to come in handy at some stage. If you must have a two-seater and can live with the odd potential reliability niggle it's worth considering.

In the end, though, we'd sooner steer any young 'un we knew into a Veloster. It might not prohibit back-seat riders like the other two but it's got the style, safety, specification, driving character and rock-solid ownership qualities to keep them satisfied, safe and on financial track.

84 comments so far

I've driven the 207cc turbo over a number of weeks and it was a dog, couldn't wait to hop back into a Mazda Protege, which is saying something. Just found it an incredibly uncomfortable car; ride quality, seating position, arrangement of controls... my opinion, others may enjoy their 207cc, good for you. Oh, and when Drive says "an odd potential reliability niggle", that's PC code for "this car will financially ruin you."

In my book the Suzuki Swift Sport walks it in over Veloster on value for money. Veloster is promising but still a generation away from being on the money for bang for buck. And geez it's an ugly car now I've seen a few on the road. Value for money sure until you realise a Mazda 3 has 4 doors, drives in a similar "sporty-ish" manner and a 2.0L engine for 21k drive away.

Which leaves MX5... fortunately this one looks better in the flesh unlike Veloster. If a young driver is so immature that a little 2.0L drop top inspires them to make a mad dash for the nearest telegraph pole then there is nothing that can be done... it's silly to discount it on these grounds. If you favour a stereotypical "wet blanket" attitude Drive why not just cut to the chase and recommend a Camry?

Commenter

addy

Location

perth

Date and time

November 13, 2012, 6:35PM

@addyYou're comfortable with P-platers hooning around in sports cars? Blimey!

Commenter

daveinbalmain

Location

balmain

Date and time

November 15, 2012, 11:29AM

Dave. You consider the MX5 a sports car? Really? A Mazda 3 can be just as, if not, quicker.

I bought a BMW 318is as my first car. RWD. As "quick" as an equivalent year MX5. No stability control. No traction control. According to current thinking I should have been dead a million times every time I drove. I was fine.

Commenter

Andrew

Location

Newcastle

Date and time

November 15, 2012, 12:06PM

dave, they're 4 cyl cars still. The fact that they're sporty and stop/handle better than their boring counterparts makes them an ideal to learn in. When I was on my P's many people were driving 200kW V8's with no traction control, abs, airbags, crap brakes, and single spinner diffs. I know what I'd rather my kids driving.

Commenter

Mick

Location

Melb

Date and time

November 15, 2012, 12:32PM

I would recommend a Merc. They are safe, reliable and you don't have to worry about parking. I mean a Merc Bus, of course. I ride the bus everywhere, everyday. I never have to worry about other idiots on the road, because I am not the one driving. I have my iPad, I read the news, watch a movie, read a book. When I get to my destination, I disembark, and go into my office. No worries about parking parasite police,

And they are safe.

Commenter

ejr1959

Location

Double Bay

Date and time

November 15, 2012, 9:51PM

Can't believe this article???? "they tend be taily on the limit" So a car with understeer with too much enthusiasm and oversteer when you back off ala your typical FWD is better? Doubt it very much and how do you learn to drive properly when the electronics do all the driving in cars with stability control. Fact is they would be better drivers if they started out in a RWD ute with leaf rear springs and the type of handling that only lets you go fast if you know how to drive properly and give you plenty of warning before you reach the limit. Then you have to consider how many 18yo can afford a $25k car and the $3k insurance bill that goes with it. I think $5k is much closer to a first car price tag with knock for knock insurance. We need to decide if we want people to learn to drive cars or cars that drive people, considering how often my home computer craches and stories of cars with their own minds the latter is very bloody scary. Nothing kills quicker than a lack of driving skills!

Commenter

JHP

Location

Colac

Date and time

November 15, 2012, 11:15PM

"If a young driver is so immature that a little 2.0L drop top inspires them to make a mad dash for the nearest telegraph pole then there is nothing that can be done... it's silly to discount it on these grounds."

My thoughts precisely. I am actually nearing the point when my daughter needs her first car and we are heading down Frank's path. Nothing boring and two seats for the reasons Frank gives. The MX-5 wins hands down.

I have driven MX-5s and, fair dinkum, the 2 litre is so tame compared to the Falcodores that male p platers drive around. The added bonus is that the handling and brakes make it sooooooo much safer than the Falcodores. And my daughter loves the thought of open air driving in fine weather!

Commenter

Wal

Location

Bush

Date and time

November 16, 2012, 8:34AM

I think encouraging young people to buy cars with high insurance premiums is silly, and to promote and encourage them(or theirparents) to spend on cars that are going to encourage them to tsake risks(because the car will save them thanks to technology)is irresponsible and unfortunate.Lives first ,profits to panel beaters government coffers and hospitals or funeral parlours last pleaseOne of my classmates parents bought him aazda rx sports turbo, for his 18 th, he killed himself and mate in it two days later..And the best car for young abd inexperienced drivers in my opinion would be the Astra or Fiesta.

Commenter

kane

Location

Date and time

November 16, 2012, 10:35AM

Definitely a fan of compact affordable sports cars for young drivers. They are cool, easy to drive, extremely safe with excellent tyres and brakes. The new Toyota/Subaru sports coupe is an ideal car for a young driver. Not crazy fast, not expensive, and most importantly FUN TO DRIVE and fun to own.The current MX-5 has stability control too. Ditto the Mazda RX-8, which is so safe that the Japanese crash testing body increased its rating system to 6 stars in response to the RX-8 crash test results. Give a young driver a used RX-8 or MX-5 ($15-20K) over a horrible hatchback, or worse a horrible hatch turned into a convertible.... think Ford Capri (Crapi?) and the awful overpriced French car above anyday.